AN enforcement company which has attracted controversy has been dropped by a county council.

Gwynedd Council and Kingdom Services Group have announced that the litter enforcement trial undertaken in the county has been ended earlier than planned, by mutual agreement. This means that Kingdom enforcement officers will not be operational in Gwynedd from now onwards.

Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member, Councillor Gareth Griffith said: “Local people have been clear that they want the Council to step up its efforts to deal with environmental crime such as littering and dog fouling.

“As part of the efforts to respond to this message, the Council agreed to undertake a 12-month trial with a private company to carry out additional enforcement work on our behalf.

“Unfortunately, due to a number of operational issues, the trial with Kingdom was temporarily halted at an early stage. Following discussions with the company, Kingdom have taken a commercial decision to terminate the partnership with the Council.

“Despite the decision not to proceed with the trial with Kingdom, residents can be assured that the Council’s in-house Street Enforcement Team will be continuing to patrol Gwynedd streets. Anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog or littering can expect to receive an on-the-spot £100 fixed penalty.”

Members of the public who wish to report an environmental crime in Gwynedd can do so on the Council website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/environment, or contact Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Service directly, email: streetenforcement@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or call 01766 771000.

A report on the decision not to proceed with the trial with Kingdom will be presented to the relevant Council Scrutiny Committee in the near future.